Presidential Spokesperson George Charamba said that Zimbabweans should know that there is a difference between a demonstration and violence. He said this while speaking to Capitalk 100.4 FM Radio station on Wednesday. Said Charamba:
(When) citizens challenge the authority of State, take law into their own hands, causing mayhem and destruction in the country and even going as far as attacking police stations — which are symbols of the administration — it means you are literally challenging, wrestling weapons of war, from serving members of the police (and) army.
It is clear you are no longer dealing with a sheer expression of disgruntlement. You are dealing with a potential threat to law and order and stability in the country.
Yes, the Constitution does give us certain basic liberties; certain rights which we must enjoy and enjoy to the fullest . . . That is a democratic principle, but here is the news for you guys: there is a difference between expressing disgruntlement and taking the law into your hands.
Charamba’s remarks come after violent demonstrations which were triggered a fuel price hike resulted in the death of at least 12 people. More than a thousand people were subsequently arrested, with 36 children were nabbed for looting in Harare and Chitungwiza alone.